Bibliotherapy has developed over the past 100 years, but the premise remains the same: that information, guidance, and solace can be found in books. Bibliotherapy schemes have been offered in UK public libraries and healthcare and community settings since the early 2000s, providing access to selected written materials which it is hoped will have a positive effect on mental health and wellbeing.

Liz Brewster and Sarah McNicol’s new book explores the history and theory of bibliotherapy for the first time, illustrating the contemporary debates amongst researchers and explaining how these relate to the work of bibliotherapy practitioners. A key focus of the book is on methods of offering bibliotherapy for diverse audiences, including homeless populations, psychiatric patients, non-native speakers and people living with dementia.

Bob Usherwood, Professor Emeritus at The University of Sheffield said, “This life-affirming text is essential reading not only for those concerned with bibliotherapy but for all who believe in the value and potential of library services in the modern world.”

The book includes case studies from around work illustrating how particular approaches to bibliotherapy can be used across different settings including, communities living with HIV/AIDS in South Africa, homeless people in Australia, socially vulnerable patients, particularly those with drug-use problems in Uruguay and speakers of English as an additional language in England.

The editors said, “Our aim is that this book contributes to the ongoing debates about the theory of bibliotherapy and its practical application, by focusing on the theoretical basis and history of bibliotherapy, as well as current practitioners”.

The book will be of interest to researchers and theorists, those managing bibliotherapy programmes in health, public and academic libraries and healthcare providers and those with an interest in wellbeing more generally.

Sarah McNicol is a Research Associate at the Education and Social Research Institute, Manchester Metropolitan University. She has worked as an Information Studies researcher since 2000 and she previously worked as a school librarian. At present, much of her research is focused around the use of graphic comics and novels to explore a range of issues, in particular health and wellbeing.

Liz Brewster is a Lecturer at Lancaster Medical School, Lancaster University. Her research focuses on experiences of mental health and wellbeing, particularly how creative activities such as reading may affect mental health. She has previously worked in academic and public libraries.

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